It's not all about bad roads and high taxes

Over the past 4 years, since the pandemic subsided - it looks like people have been leaving India in droves. Initially, it was people in tech leaving for western countries for US and Europe. But now, even people in other fields are leaving - across the world for countries like Singapore, UAE - and South East Asia.

Have you ever wondered why? At first glance, it appears that the obvious answer is bad roads, high taxes and pollution. However, that's not the whole story. There are a lot of underlying factors too. To start with, let's look at the positives of being in India.

Positives of living in India

• Strong Democracy - India has been a democracy for 75 years now. It's a testament to the strength of our Constitution and peoples that despite all the recessions and Emergencies, we've managed to stay together as a nation for so long.
• High Social Mobility - The opportunities for upward mobility are still alive in India. Because of our free market economy, anyone can still make it big by growing their skills and applying themselves to the right opportunities.
• Excellent Weather - India has a lot of diversity in its climate. While it's true that it does get very hot during the summers in some parts of the country, most regions enjoy a temperate climate. Additionally, it's possible to apply climate control measures (read: pankha) indoors.

What makes people Leave?

• Lack of Civic Sense - A pervasive sense of apathy among citizens has eroded societal harmony. Daily interactions often involve conflicts over basic courtesies, such as crossing roads or waiting in lines. This disregard for social norms contrasts sharply with countries like the UK and Singapore, where respect for public order is ingrained.
• Falling Rupee - The Rupee has depreciated by 25% against the USD over the past decade. This devaluation increases the cost of goods and services by a quarter, putting immense pressure on families striving to afford essentials. The real estate market, especially in metro cities, exemplifies this struggle, with property prices soaring to levels that match western countries.
• Lack of Infrastructure - If you're paying lakhs in tax (after ~5 years of a tech role) - you expect that there should at least be a functional road in front of your house. However, the reality is that most places have crumbling infrastructure, from broken roads, unreliable electricity, lack of clean or running water, and poor to toxic air quality.

These are some of the thoughts cooking in people's minds - "The people don't care about you, the governments don't care about you - but you're taxed and charged according to western country rates. So logically, doesn't it make sense to move to a country where you get a life proportional to the value you're generating for the economy?"

Hence, this is resulting in "Societal Disconnect" amongst the people. When someone doesn't feel like they're a part of the society they live in - they'll always look for a way out. And that's what's happening in India.

Subscribe to learn below about what my personal situation was while leaving to the UK.